Jorge Masvidal names Floyd Mayweather and Logan Paul among "very likely" boxing opponents after Nate Diaz clash
Jorge Masvidal has suggested Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Logan Paul as potential opponents for himself after his upcoming boxing match against Nate Diaz. Masvidal is scheduled to face Diaz in a light heavyweight (175-pound) professional boxing bout on July 6, 2024.
Their first professional combat sports encounter transpired at UFC 244 (Nov. 2019), a fight in which Masvidal defeated Diaz via third-round TKO to become the inaugural BMF champion. While Masvidal is under contract with the UFC, Diaz departed the promotion in September 2022.
On the Nelk Boys' Full Send podcast, Jorge Masvidal has now indicated that he's still under contract with the UFC but has been "loaned" by the UFC to Fanmio for three boxing matches. 'Gamebred' alluded that apart from the Diaz matchup, he could compete in two more boxing matches.
When asked to name potential opponents for the pair of boxing matches, Masvidal responded by implying that he'd like to box with legendary pugilists Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao. He also named YouTuber-cum-WWE superstar Logan Paul as a possible opponent.
The 39-year-old further clarified that the UFC doesn't want him to box with Jake Paul. He seemed to suggest that Jake has long been a vocal critic of the organization and they don't want one of their top stars (Masvidal) letting the younger Paul brother financially benefit by facing him. The MMA legend stated:
"I want Mayweather's a** and Logan Paul. Those are my targets that I'm, you know -- trying to get Manny Pacquiao."
Mayweather, who retired from professional boxing in August 2017, is scheduled to face John Gotti III in an exhibition boxing rematch on Aug. 24, 2024. Alluding to it, Masvidal added:
"I know [a fight against Mayweather] is super possible. Mayweather, Logan, Manny Pacquiao. I think he [Mayweather] is fighting Gotti. Yeah, he's fighting, I think, Gotti, the rematch. But Manny Pacquiao, Logan, and Mayweather are all very likely fights to happen after this one."
Check out Jorge Masvidal's comments below (39:30):
Jorge Masvidal rules out rehydration clause in potential fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Manny Pacquiao is seemingly in pursuit of becoming a professional boxing world champion again. Ergo, Jorge Masvidal would be likelier to box against Floyd Mayweather Jr. and/or Logan Paul, both of whom have competed in crossover boxing matches in recent years.
During his podcast appearance, Masvidal noted that he possesses a weight advantage and feels that the 47-year-old Mayweather is past his prime. He aims to be the first fighter to knock 'Money' out cold.
Furthermore, Masvidal highlighted that he won't agree to a rehydration clause even if it's for a fight against Mayweather. He explained that the adverse effects of weight cutting are exacerbated by a rehydration clause:
"I would never, like, let's say Mayweather's like, 'We need a rehydration clause.' Well, we don't need to fight then ... To cut all this weight, and then not being able to hydrate properly how you should, that's a death sentence." [comments at 43:40 in the above video]